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Leave the resorts of the Mayan Riviera behind and explore the authentic Yucatán. From sunny beaches and lush jungles to the highlands of Chiapas, journey through Belize, Guatemala, and southern Mexico on this incredible 22-day adventure. Explore the amazing ruins of Chichén Itzá, Palenque, and Tikal and walk the cobblestoned streets of colonial San Cristóbal de las Casas and Antigua. Snorkel with stingrays or just get into the reggae pace of life on a sunny Caribbean island. Experience a journey that introduces you to local culture and offers insight into the history of the Mayan heartland.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Playa del Carmen

Arrive at any time.As travellers arrive throughout the day, there are no planned activities until the welcome meeting in the evening.

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Day 2: Playa del Carmen/Mérida

Take a guided tour of Chichén Itzá and orientation walk around Mérida. Depart Playa del Carmen and head to the famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá for a guided tour. Spend time exploring this famous site, known for its huge stepped pyramids and elaborate stone carvings.

Continue on to Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán State, and take a short orientation walk. Also known as la ciudad blanca (the white city), Mérida offers the ideal opportunity to learn about Mexico's fascinating mix of cultural influences.

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Day 3: Mérida

Opt to visit the ruins of Uxmal or swim in cenotes in the Yucatán. Hit the beach or soak in the history this city has to offer.The area surrounding Mérida has tons to offer. Choose to visit nearby cenotes (water sink holes) in the town of Cuzamá. Inside, swim in the massive crystal-clear sinkholes. Transportation to the cenotes is half the fun, taking small wooden horse-drawn carts along old rail tracks.

Day 4: Mérida/Palenque

Travel to Palenque and spend two nights in a jungle lodge.After a long day of travel, arrive to Palenque. Enjoy a 2-night stay inside the national park in a jungle lodge. The lodge is quite close to the town, the ruins and the museum and offers a restaurant and bar on the grounds.

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Day 5: Palenque

Enjoy a guided tour of the Mayan ruins of Palenque. After, go for a swim in the pristine turquoise waters of Roberto Barrios waterfall.

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Day 6: Palenque/San Cristóbal de Las Casas

Travel to San Cristóbal de Las Casas via Villahermosa. Enjoy an orientation walk on arrival.Continue out of the jungle to San Crístóbal De Las Casas, located in a high mountain valley at 2110m (6921 ft). Enjoy an orientation walk of the city, known for its 16th century architecture.

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Day 7: San Cristóbal de Las Casas

Opt to visit nearby indigenous Mayan villages to see their unique day-to-day life or journey to beautiful Sumidero Canyon for a relaxing boat ride.

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Day 8: San Cristóbal de Las Casas/Panajachel

Journey from San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico to Panajachel, Guatemala. Opt to explore the town on arrival.The first stop in Guatemala is on beautiful Lake Atitlán. Stay in Panajachel, a lakeshore town surrounded by spectacular volcanoes and small villages.

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Day 9: Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna

Embark on a boat ride across the lake before participating in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. This area is known for stunning scenery and great shopping for Mayan handicrafts. Opt to bargain for colourful textiles and paintings at the lake's many villages.

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Day 10: Antigua

Travel to Antigua and head out for an orientation walk. Opt for a final night out in town.With so much to do in this charming colonial city, we highly recommend booking post accommodation. Optional activities for the area include a city tour, salsa dancing classes, a Guatemalan cooking class, or relaxing with a massage. Further afield you can rent bikes and ride through the hills, visit a macadamia nut farm or check out some nearby villages.

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Day 11: Antigua Guatemala

Enjoy a free day exploring this charming colonial city.

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Day 12: Antigua Guatemala/Rio Dulce

Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.

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Day 13: Rio Dulce/Flores

Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy free time to check out the town before continuing on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.

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Day 14: Flores

Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. In the afternoon, opt to relax on the lake or hang out at a café in town.

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Day 15: Flores/San Ignacio

Cross the border to Belize. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, or see the lesser-known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.Cross the border into Belize. The relaxed atmosphere of San Ignacio allows for options including horseback riding, canoeing, caving, or exploring the Mountain Pine Ridge area.

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Day 16: San Ignacio

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.

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Day 17: San Ignacio/Caye Caulker

Travel to Belize City to catch a ferry to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise. Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. There are dozens of activities around the island and surrounding coral reefs. Try your hand at fishing and barbecue your catch on the beach.

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Day 18: Caye Caulker

Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Choose to visit the famous Blue Hole on a diving trip or a fly-over. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.

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Day 19: Caye Caulker

Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Choose to visit the famous Blue Hole on a diving trip or a fly-over. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.

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Day 20: Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen

Say farewell to Belize, and travel to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, by speed boat and private vehicle.With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.

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Day 21: Playa del Carmen

Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, visit one of the many cenotes, or go diving off Cozumel. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.

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